Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-07-06
THE C0LONEL'S GIFT.

'Siye my consent To your engagement
with Arthur Daunt, child? Prepo>terous
Why, neither cf you have been long out Of
the nursery"
Il am Is, and Arthur is 22. crandpapa ~
"Twenty-two!'' contemptuously; "A
boy! No man should marry until he is 30.
But run away, dear, am busy"
The "Conol," as the villagers called
him. sat at his table engaged with ''un-
paid official business He dipped his pen
in the ink and the fair pleader felt herself
dismissed.
Soldier Col Dormant's experiences
were of the barrack, the camp. canton
ments, years of service in India, military
post in London. II was red letter day
for him when he was appriscd by Lon
don firm OF solicitors that by the will of
his godfather he had succeeded to West
fields. The intelligence came as IA surprise
TO him; no promise had been given, no
hint ever thrown out He had not seq
Westfields for years, he felt that he had
neglected the old squire. The colonel was
not long making up his mind No more
routine, he would rest; halmy country air
| would be beneficial To the cherub he only
seemed TO live for.
In short twelvemonths the rural Quie
tude Of Westfields began TO pail. He had
nothing TO do. Hunting shooting. occu-
pied only portion Of the year, and these
pursuits tired him. Some one had per
ception-there came the suggestion. The
colonel humm'd and had, but il gave
hiIs pleasure. he had uffhaud careless
ness-it WAS an honor. certainly. Yes,
he would give some portion OF his time to
the administration Of justice. He be
came interested, zest followed. What
was worth doing, was worth doing well.
Assiduous in attendance, he became as
! well versed in petty seasonal as in mill
| tary matters. In the army he had been
considered q martinez: on The bench, IA
''steern" man was the verdict passed
upon him.
A fine old man, tall and commanding,
straight as q dart, though he had reached
the allotted span Of life. His hair silver,
his aspect martial, the heavy cropped
mustache adding to the severity of his
countenance.
The colonel ceased writing. He be
came distracted. He laid down his pen
and marched to the window. He looked
out, but it was doubtful whether he saw
anything He was thinking
Again the demand. 1t had come upon
any stretch Of complaisance delude himself
into an opinion that the marriage had been
satisfactory. The husband might have
been better than he was. Flighty, i'm
pulsive, too fond Of dubious relaxation,
the young husband had needed the word
in season and had taken remonstrance i'll
The colonel had almost rsliei when the
regiment was ordered for foreign service,
though it placed the wide sea between
him and his darling. He was never To see
her again. Oceana---true child Of the
foam, atom Of life tn he fostered by aliens,
TO live through bufetings, 10 accept with
out murmur, and as if quite patural, the
passing from hand TO hand, until,
orphaned, she found herself under the
rsof Of taciturn, but doting grand
parent How the child became part of his
being, until he began TO apprehend the
wrench it would be to part with her, and
to dread the appearance Of the wooer who
would seek to deprive him Of his treasure.
The colonel's soliloQuy was almost au-
dible. He shall not marry her. She can
Afford to wait q year or two. Time will
prove him, and she will be in better
position to judge. She shall see little |
more Of the world. There's her fathers !
kin, they have expressed wish to see
more Of her. They are in the world. II !
she goes among them, she will see some
thing of society, he presented"
II was what he did not like, sending her |
among them. He had an uneasy jealous |
feeling, what if over her they Were to |
exercise some subtle influence, and her |
undivided affection be no longer his. I'm |
divided, Matters could not be more irri- |
tating than they were.
The colonel returned TO his table, took |
up his pen, and, after a vicious prod in the |
ink well, resumed his task.
A tap, and tbs library door again |
opened. Oceana again presenting herself,
the scratch Of the colonel's pen became
more vigorous.
'.You are busy yet, grandpapa;' There
was disappointment.
The pen was stayed.
what is il, Oceana'' The colonel laid
down his pen to wheel round his chair.
The post has just brought me note
from Arthur"
"Wellsn The tone was not unkind, but
unencouraging. The colonel foresaw that
the unwelcome argument was to be re-
sumed.
The young girl advanced; approaching
the old man, she sank on her knees before
him. There was appeal in her eyes-im-
ploration.
.'Grandpapa, Arthur viii be here this
afternoon. He will wish to speak TO you.
You will not be out Of the way; you will
receive him.
IF you wish it, certainly"
''Grandpapa, he wishes tO ask your con-
sent to our engagement-ourm marriage"
II can only say to him what have said
to you. Too young, too ysung. Marriage
is q serious matter, not 10 ',e lightly un-
dertaken. What safeguard is there' He
may not have sown his wild oats"--
''He may never begin to SOW them if he
marries.''
The colonel almost frowned He was
not in the mood to be amused with
equivoque.
Il am glad you have advised me;
shall have time 10 ponder over my an
swer."
'But you will not refuse''
my dear, must think for you.
must be guided by what judge will be
best for your future welfare"
The girl arose from her knees, TO stand
ct the mantel, to toy with bronze Indian
idol. She was wounded.
The old mans eyes rested upon her
with An intensity of love and admiration.
She was beautiful-her lace was CLASSIC,
her arm was a model for sculptor No,
he did not wish to torture her; hut 10
part with her-would life, 50 desolate, so
solitary, be worth living,
''Ocy, is it that you are tired of living
with an old man.
mo. grandpapa," she answered him,
quickly, with tremulous lip and with an
earnestness that was almost repruach.
What is it them" he asked her, need
Iessly.
~ like Arthur, very much" she fa!-
tered.
Like him.
II love Arthur, grandpapa, her voice
firm, but her color rising.
..He has said that he loves You, | sup
pose and II is sympathy. Here, he has
had everything his own way, with never
rival Possibly, if you We're To 90 out in
the world, il might make difference;
a rafn